Businesses as we all know, are always thinking about the bottom line. From ways to increase revenues to ways to decrease expenses, it’s all critical stuff for any company to pay attention to.

That’s exactly why we are creating this post on energy saving tips for businesses and companies alike. And while not every business in every building will be able to implement every single tip on this list, there should be numerous ones that will be highly relevant to your business.

Saving energy will allow you to reduce overhead expenses, enhance your public view as a “going green” company (which you could use as a marketing play), or even just have better piece of mind knowing your buildings are just that much greener.

Without further ado, here is the first on the list (out of 25)…

1. Upgrade to a LED lighting system. The benefits of LED technology far surpass any other lighting technology commonly used in buildings or fluorescent, metal halide, HPS, etc). reducing the amount of energy that is going to power those lights as well.

4. Install sky lights. How about all of that natural light that is going to waste otherwise? By installing sky lights in areas where natural lighting would otherwise not get to (e.g hallways and inner rooms), you open yourself up to some huge savings by not having to have nearly as many lights on during the daytime.

5. Switch to green web hosting. This is a huge one for those companies who have lots of traffic and do a lot of business through their website. spam email has a carbon footprint? Although this won’t save your company any money, it will definitely reduce the carbon footprint associated with your company.

14. Only purchase ENERGY STAR equipment. By purchasing office equipment that is ENERGY STAR qualified, you are buying into products that are proven to be more energy efficient than those that aren’t.

15. Switch over to laptops. Desktops are always plugged in, and that can mean a lot of energy consumption. By switching to laptops, you will use 1/4th the energy associated with powering your computers.

16. Update your insulation. Those nasty drafts aren’t only uncomfortable to your employees and / or visitors, but they are also wasting a lot of energy. If you can, consider updating your insulation to stop the escape of that warm (or cold) air you are paying to output.

17. Update your windows. While you are at it, updating your windows to ones that don’t have any leaks in them will stop those drafts too. Both of these go hand in hand, and together will reduce a lot of temperature control going to waste.

18. Hold a virtual meeting. If you have days designated for meetings and not much else, then why power your entire building (and make everyone drive) if you could easily have everyone stay at home? Your employees will probably appreciate it, and you are going to save a lot of energy for that day. Technology these days makes it a whole lot easier to save on energy for business and buildings alike.

19. Take advantage of tax credits. All of this effort on saving energy will not only save you in overhead costs, but it could also phantom load is basically energy that is being consumed through a product that is entirely off. The simple solution is to unplug everything when it is not in use. Alternatively, you could shut off the power to an entire room or area when it’s not in use to ensure no phantom load waste is occurring.

23. Reduce hot water usage. By installing efficient faucets, you will reduce the amount of water that is wasted. And if you do heat that water, reducing the waste of it will reduce the amount of energy you use to heat that water.

If you or someone in your family regularly uses a hairdryer, there’s a good chance that you’ve tripped a breaker at some point. Generally, this happens at the most inconvenient time—probably when you’re getting ready for work or a night out. There are a lot of electrical devices in your house, so why does the little ole’ hairdryer cause so many problems? Part of the problem is the way hairdryers work, but your power outlets and wiring could also be the culprit.

When the Problem is the Hairdryer

Believe it or not, hairdryers actually may  just as much power as a microwave (around 1500 watts). Many breakers are rated for 1800 watts, so they can’t handle the load if you have several other electrical devices—like a vacuum, TV, computer,  or lamp—plugged in along with the hair dryer.

Also, hairdryers run on a motor, and, like most motors, faulty maintenance can cause problems. In the case of hairdryers, they often have screens or filters that get clogged over time, causing the hairdryer to use more power than it would normally, and this extra power usage could  trip the breaker and possibly destroy the hairdryer.

The electrical connections in the devices themselves could also trip the circuit. A faulty cord, or wires making contact within the device can also kill your power.

When the Problem is Something Else

Diagnosing the Problem

24-Hour Emergency Electrical Service

We offer a 24-hour emergency electrical service to address any residential electrical issue. Give us a call anytime if your hairdryer has caused a mysterious short in your power or if you detect any other potentially dangerous electrical issue.

Purchasing a new home can be both an exciting and stressful experience. While you may like what you see on the outside, we all know that there can be problems hidden behind the walls. When it comes to electrical, not only can improper work cost you lots of money, but it can also be dangerous. If you are browsing for a new home, make sure you are cautious of possible issues that can arise.

As we have written about in the past, the main service panel is a critical part of the home electrical system. This is what controls the electricity in the entire home. Over the years these panels can become old and worn. Sometimes additions may have been made to the panel, but not done correctly. When looking at a service panel it is important to look for any loose or wires and connections into the panel. The wires should be tight to avoid electrical outages and flickering. Loose wires can also cause sparking and lead to fires. An expert electrician can also identify the amount of wires going into each circuit breaker and the organization, which can help with safety and efficiency.

One concern many people have is what kind of wiring is behind the walls. Many of us have heard of aluminum wiring and that we should avoid it. The problem with aluminum wire is that the wires can become loose more easily and also heat up, becoming more prone to electrical fires. Old knob-and-tube wiring can also become weak, break easily, and cannot function at today’s standards. It is a good idea to have an expert electrician inspect the wires in your prospective home to make sure they are safe or whether they need to be upgraded.

Outlets in the home should also be easily tested. Check to make sure that none of the electrical outlets look burnt, dirty, or are loose. Outlet testers can be test to make sure that they are properly grounded and being fed electricity properly. It may appear that the outlets function properly and can continue to do so without being properly grounded. But in the event of a power surge, especially in a major appliance, the electricity will not escape through the grounded wire and can cause electrocution.

These are just some of the potential electrical problems that a home can have. In order to protect yourself and your investment, have a home inspector visit the home. If you have just purchased a home, have an electrician inspect it for any possible issues and for a more thorough analysis.

It’s hard to imagine life without electricity. Those rare times when the power goes out entirely serve as reminders of how much we depend on our electrical systems to get us through the day (and night). You need to take special care of the electricity in your home with prompt repairs whenever they are needed.

We offer photocontrol LED canopy lights for security lighting, parking garage lighting, gas station lighting, low-bay warehouse lighting, drive-thru lighting, and more. Using powerful LEDs, the light fixtures emit 9,000 lumens of bright natural white light.

The 100-watt LED canopy lights are equivalent replacements for 400-watt metal-halide (MH) fixtures but are designed to last three times longer. A photocontrol option is available to lengthen LED life span even further. The tork light-detecting sensors are designed to save energy by turning the light fixtures off during daytime hours. Shoppers can choose either a 120V AC or 208-277V AC tork sensor for the photocontrol fixtures.

These weatherproof LED lights are constructed of dark bronze die cast aluminum housings and shatterproof polycarbonate lenses. The LED canopy lights operate within a wide 90-277V AC range. Each surface-mount LED canopy light is equipped with a Mean Well constant-current driver as well as side and rear knock-outs that allow for various wiring options. A hassle-free five-year warranty fully protects against factory defects and malfunctions.

If you have questions, don’t hesitate to call us toll free at 866-590-3533. Our customer service and technical support teams are available from 8:30 a.m. to 8 p.m. CDT Monday-Thursday and 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. CDT on Friday.